Lakers to hold training camp in Santa Barbara

The Los Angeles Lakers will hold training camp in Santa Barbara for the first time since 1999.

The Lakers announced the news in a news release late Sept. 15. The six day camp will run from Sept. 27 to Oct. 2 at Robertson Gymnasium on the UC Santa Barbara campus.

On Aug. 25 university official confirmed the discussions with the Lakers to hold training camp on the school’s campus but told the Business Times that no agreement had been reached and an official announcement would be made later if a deal is finalized.

The team is scheduled for one three-hour practice on the first and last days, as well as two two-hour practices during the middle four days.

The Lakers had previously announced that training camp would be held at their training facility in El Segundo this year, but instead they will be returning to Santa Barbara, where they started their 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 campaigns.

Two days after the team’s last practice in Santa Barbara, the team opens its preseason schedule in Anaheim against Sacramento on Oct. 4.

This will be the Lakers first season since 1995 without legendary guard Kobe Bryant who retired at the end of an injury plagued final season this spring. The Lakers had the second worst record in the NBA last season with a record of 17-65 and selected forward Brandon Ingram with the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft this June.